“The perpetrators must be brought to justice through fair trials without recourse to death penalty,” Sultani stressed, denouncing the attack as a horrific crime.

He added the attack once again highlighted the risks journalists continued to face for just doing their job. The authorities must ensure safety and protection for all so they could work freely and without fear.

Last month, Afghan citizen journalist Jawid Noori was snatched from his car and murdered by the Taliban in western Farah province.